Image courtesy of: The Hindu

“The meeting went very well”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa are likely to finalise the schedule for India’s tour of South Africa by October 19, according to a number of sources.

One of the sources stated that the series, which was originally set to consist of three Test matches, seven ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals, will now comprise of two Test matches and three ODIs.

“By 19th (October) it will work out,” the source told PTI. “We are hopeful of the series.”

However, it was also reported that Cricket South Africa were adamant about having three Test matches, but the BCCI refused as they want India to play a warm-up match prior to the start of the series.

“Only two Tests and three ODIs would be workable,” the source said. “It is not that the BCCI is not ready to accommodate but it is not possible to have more matches with the given schedule (the West Indies series at home next month and the New Zealand tour in January 2014).

“They asked if the BCCI could avoid the warm-up match but we have not agreed.”

BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel revealed that the meeting went “very well”.

“The meeting went very well,” he said. “We are awaiting some confirmation from Cricket South Africa.”